Syrian Catholic Bishop Complains Over Israeli Treatment

BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK, January 16, 2001–The Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Catholic Church has lodged a complaint to Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Barak after being held in Bethlehem for an hour at the checkpoint between this city and Jerusalem. BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK, January 16, 2001–The Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Catholic Church has lodged a complaint to Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Barak after being held in Bethlehem for an hour at the checkpoint between this city and Jerusalem.

Bishop Grégoire Pierre Abdel-Ahad charged the Israeli soldiers with discrimination, which he said he had experienced before.

His official diplomatic car was flying the Vatican flag and the Patriarchal Vicar carried Vatican credentials. In his complaint letter he cited the Fundamental Agreement between the Vatican and the State of Israel, which,among other provisions, ensures right to travel.

Subject: Complaint for an irresponsible treatment against the behavior of the Police and soldiers at the Bethlehem Checkpoint.

Your Excellency,

Today, Tuesday 16th January 2001 for a whole hour (from 9.00 to 10.00 a.m.), I was stopped and retained by a Police Officer and Soldier at the Bethlehem Checkpoint by the traffic lights, who refused to let me pass to go to Bethlehem though I presented to them all the documents in my possession, i.e.